PITTSBURGH, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) announced today its support for the finalization of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 3 Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards Program. The regulations will reduce the amount of sulfur in fuel, lowering toxic pollutants in vehicle exhaust.

"These regulations will place the United States in the forefront of emissions controls with USW members continuing as leaders in building these technologies," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "Our members have helped to eliminate over 40 billion tons of carbon monoxide from entering the air we breathe.

"EPA's regulations will keep the United States competitive in global fuel standards and reduce 23,000 upper and lower respiratory symptoms in children, improving the air we breathe."

Once implemented, the regulations will ensure lower sulfur levels in gasoline and eliminate millions of tons of pollutants from the air. The union had to consider its diverse membership that includes refinery workers in weighing support for the regulations. The ability of refineries to comply with the regulations at a significantly lower cost than originally anticipated was critical.

"Nearly 90 percent of refineries can either comply with the regulations tomorrow, make operational changes or revamp to comply in less than two years," said USW international Vice President Gary Beevers, who heads the union's oil sector.

The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.